Hey guys! I'm back with the first episode. Again, I don't own anything but the reactions. Everything in italics is the show. I will be calling Quentin Lance, just Lance to make it easier and quicker. Thanks to all those who favorited my story and/or who left a review. It is greatly appreciated. Thanks again and please leave a review.
-Patronus Totalus
A man breathes heavily whilst running through the forest. He climbs a cliff wall and sees a fishing boat in the distance. He continues to run and jumps down to the ground below. He reaches to what seems to be his campsite; he sets his bow and arrow and fires a flaming arrow into a pile of sticks creating an explosion and alerting the native fisherman to the island.
Everyone in the room was impressed by the skills with the bow and arrow. Malcolm was ready to ask this person to join the League.
Native fisherman: [speaking mandarin]
Man V.O: The name of the island they found me on is Lian Yu.
Thea and Moira gasp and hug at the sound of the voice.
Thea:Ollie…
Laurel, Lance and Tommy all look at each other shocked. Felicity, Diggle and Roy look at each other confused.
Felicity: (she whispers to Roy and Diggle) Maybe they made a mistake. I don't know why we are here.
ManV.O: It's mandarin for "purgatory". I've been stranded here for 5 years.
Moira: 5 years? That means we get him back soon. Oh, my baby boy!
Man V.O: I've dreamt of my rescue every cold night since then. For 5 years, I have had only one thought, one goal…survive… (man removes his hood and shows his face)…survive and one day return home. [Fishing boat] (one fisherman hands the man water to drink). The island held many dangers. To live, I had to make myself more than I was, to forge myself into a weapon. I am returning not the boy who was shipwrecked, but the man who will bring justice to those who have poisoned my city. My name is Oliver Queen.
[Starling City]
News Anchor: Oliver Queen is alive. The Starling City resident was found by fisherman in the North China sea 5 days ago, 5 years after he went missing and presumed dead following the accident at sea which claimed, "The Queen's Gambit". Queen was a regular tabloid presence and a fixture at the Starling City club scene. Shortly before his disappearance, he was acquitted of assault charges after a highly publicized drunken altercation with the paparazzi. Queen is the son of the Starling City billionaire Robert Queen, who was also on board, but now officially confirmed as deceased.
Moira: At least we got one back. That's all I'm asking for.
[Starling City Hospital]- Oliver Queen (now shaven) looks out the hospital room window emotionless whilst the doctor is talking outside the room.
Doctor: 20% of his body is covered in scar tissue. Second degree burns on his back and arms. X-Rays show at least 12 fractures that never healed properly. (Camera pans to show a woman observing Oliver outside the room.)
Most look horrified. Malcolm is still in shock at how skillful the Queen heir is with a bow and arrow.
Diggle: Some of those scars don't look accidental.
Moira: What do you mean? How do you know?
Diggle: I was a soldier in Afghanistan. I know what intentional scars look like; those look like someone intentionally tried to hurt him.
Woman: Has he said anything about what happened?
Doctor: No. He's barely said anything. (The woman looks back at Oliver). Moira, I'd like you to prepare yourself. The Oliver you lost… might not be the one they found. (Moira opens the door and goes inside).
Moira: Oliver. (Oliver turns around)
Oliver: Mom. (they walk towards each other)
Moira: Oh… (on the precipice of tears) my beautiful boy. (they hug)
[Queen Mansion]- A black sedan pulls up to the house. The trunk opens and the driver goes to take a wooden suitcase when Oliver stops him.
Thea: What is that suitcase? I've never seen that suitcase in my life.
Moira, Laurel, and Tommy shrug.
Oliver: I've got it. (Moira and Oliver enter the house)
Moira: Your room is exactly how you left it. I never had the heart to change a thing.
Man: Oliver it's damn good to see you. (Oliver looks at him). It's Walter… (they shake hands) Walter Steele.
Moira: You remember Walter, your father's friend from the company. (Oliver walks passed her to the maid)
Thea: You didn't tell him?
Tommy: Maybe she thought it was for the best.
Laurel: I agree with Tommy. Getting back 5 years later and finding all these changes, its not good for him.
Laurel and Tommy look at each other, smile, blush, and look away. Felicity and Thea look at them amused and they quickly start talking about it becoming instant friends.
Oliver: It's good to see you, Raisa.
Raisa: Welcome home Mr. Oliver. Mr. Merlyn phoned. He wants to join you for dinner.
Moira: Wonderful. (a door opens and closes). Oliver? (Oliver walks toward the staircase). Did you hear that?
Oliver: Hey, sis.
Thea: I knew it. I knew you were alive. (she hugs him) I missed you so much.
Oliver: You were with me the whole time.
Thea sniffles wanting her brother now and not later.
[CNRI Office] – Two women have a conversation whilst one checks the mail.
Johanna: Come on, Laurel. We're lawyers, not miracle workers. We can't win this.
Laurel: If we can't win a class-action suit against a man who swindled hundreds of people out of their homes and life savings, then we're not fit to call ourselves a legal aid office.
Johanna: And if we go bankrupt in the process, we won't be a legal aid office. Hunt has an army of lawyers, and they're ready to bury us.
Lance: What?! You're going after Adam Hunt?! Are you asking for someone to come and bury you 6 feet under?
Laurel: You and I against an army. I love those odds.
Johanna: Why do you hate me?
Laurel: [scoffs] (she sits down and stares at a board with pinned newspaper clippings and photos of Adam Hunt. The TV is heard in the distance.)
News Anchor: And in other news, details of the castaway story you've all heard about… the son of a wealthy billionaire will soon become a legendary story. Jessica now has more details and the complete castaway story. (Laurel turns her attention from the board to the TV)
Jessica: "The Queen's Gambit" was last heard from more than 5 years ago. Mr. Queen has reportedly confirmed to be the only survivor of the accident that took the lives of 7 people, including local resident Sara Lance. Survived by her sister, Laurel… (Laurel walks to the TV and turns it off, everyone looks at her. She drops the remote and walks away)
Laurel and Lance look at each other with sad eyes. Sara wasn't coming back.
[Queen Mansion] – Oliver's Bedroom
Oliver V.O: After 5 years, everything that was once familiar is now unrecognizable. The face I see in the mirror is a stranger. (Oliver looks at himself and his scars. His Arrow persona flashes as thunder strikes.)
Tommy: Woah. What the hell was that?
[Flashback] – Queen's Gambit – 5 years ago. Robert Queen stares at the ship's radar whilst a man emerges from the outside soaking wet.
Lance: Why? How do we see this?
The question was left unanswered.
Crew member: The storm's a category 2. The captain recommends we head back.
Robert: Alright. Inform the crew.
Oliver: Are we in trouble?
Robert: One of us is. (Sara emerges from one of the cabins)
Sara: Ollie? Where do you keep the bottle opener on this thing?
Seeing his youngest daughter alive brought back all those feelings of hatred toward Queen again. Laurel tried to move past it, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't deny that she was a little resentful too.
Oliver: I'll be there in a minute, Sara.
Robert: [sighs] You know, son, this isn't going to end well for either of them, or for you.
[Present day] - Oliver is staring at a picture of him and his father. [Front door opens]
Tommy: What did I tell you? Yacht's suck. [chuckles]
Tommy: Enter me! (trying to lighten up the mood)
Oliver: Tommy Merlyn. [They hug]
Tommy: I missed you, buddy.
[Dining room] (Everyone is seated in the dining room for dinner)
Tommy: Okay. What else did you miss? Superbowl winners… Giants, Steelers, Saints, Packers, Giants again. A black president, that's new. Oh, and "Lost" they were all dead, I think.
Thea: What was it like there? (the table goes quiet and everyone stares at Oliver)
Thea: Could I have any less tact. (groans)
Roy: No. (Thea and Moira give him a glare)
Oliver: Cold.
Tommy: Tomorrow, you and me, we're doing the city. You have a lot to catch up on.
Moira: That sounds like a great idea.
Oliver: Good. Then, I was hoping to swing by the office.
Walter: (About to take a sip of his wine, but stops) Well, there's plenty of time for that. Queen Consolidated isn't going anywhere.
(Raisa comes to set a bowl of pears on the table. She trips, but Oliver catches her and helps her regain balance.)
Raisa: I am so sorry, Mr. Oliver.
Oliver: [says it's not worry in Russian] (Tommy looks at him. Raisa is equally as stunned)
Felicity: He speaks Russian?
Moira: No.
Diggle: Maybe he learnt it on the island.
Tommy: Dude, you speak Russian?
Walter: I didn't realise you took Russian at college, Oliver.
Oliver: I didn't realise you wanted to sleep with my mother, Walter. (silence and tension fill the room. Moira looks at Oliver and then at Thea.)
Roy: (whispers) Burn! (Roy, Felicity, Diggle all give each other a smile)
Thea: I didn't say anything.
Oliver: She didn't have to. (Moira nods in acknowledgment)
Moira: Oliver… Walter and I are married, and I don't want you to think that either one of us, did anything to disrespect your father.
Walter: We both believed that Robert, like you, was, uh - well, gone.
Oliver: (Visibly pained) It's fine. (He gets up) May I be excused? (Moira nods)
Tommy: Hey, don't forget about tomorrow, buddy. (Oliver leaves)
[Flashback] – Queen's Gambit, 5 years ago
Sara: One, two, three. It's getting closer.
Oliver: That's not very scientific.
Sara: What would you know about science, Mr. Ivy League drop out?
Oliver: I happen to know a lot about science. I know about fermentation. I know biology. (He kisses her)
Sara: Laurel's gonna kill me. Oh, she's so gonna kill me.
Oliver: Your sister will never know. Come here. (Throws her on the bed)
Sara: Ha-ha-ha. [Thunder] Okay, that one was really close.
Oliver: Sara, we're gonna be fine. (He kisses her)
(The champagne glasses tilt and suddenly the entire cabin flips and they are thrown to the opposite side of the room)
Oliver: Sara! Sara!
Sara: Aah!
(Oliver regains his balance and sees Sara being ripped away by the ocean)
Oliver: Sara.
Robert: Oliver! Oliver! (Oliver looks over and swims toward the lifeboat)
Oliver: Sara! (he climbs aboard the lifeboat) [Coughs] (turns back around to go back – Robert stops him) No! No! No, dad, she's out there!
Laurel: (she gasps) He tried to save her. Dad, he tried to save her.
Lance: She wouldn't need saving if she didn't go on that ship in the first place.
Robert: She's not there.
Oliver: Sara! (watches the yacht sink)
Robert: She's gone.
[Present Day] – Moira wakes Oliver. He wakes up and flips her and puts his hand to her throat.
Moira: Oliver? Wake up. Oliver?
Thea: Why is he sleeping like that?
Malcolm: He needs to get used to the bed again.
Diggle: He's been on an island for 5 years and I'm guessing there weren't any 5 star hotels there.
Walter: Oliver!
Everyone but Malcolm jump and/or gasp shocked that Oliver would attack his own mother.
Oliver: I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. (crawls away afraid) (Walter helps Moira up)
Moira: He looks so afraid.
Moira: No, it's okay, Oliver. It's all right, sweetheart. You're home. You're home.
[Thea's Bedroom] -A girl crushes pills into powder on Thea's desk presumably to take them before being interrupted by Oliver.
Thea: Where did you get these?
Moira: THEA! We are having a talk about this when we get home.
Thea's friend: Roxies. Thank you, Daddy's ACL tear. [knock on the door. Both girls hide the pills and powder.]
Thea: Ollie.
Oliver: No one's called me that in a while, Speedy.
Thea: Worst nickname ever.
Oliver: What, always chasing after me as a kid? I thought it fit pretty well. Maybe it still does?
Thea's friend: See you at school, Speedy. (she leaves)
Thea: Sorry about her.
Oliver: I have something for you.
Thea: You did not come back from a deserted island with a souvenir.
Tommy: A rock. How sweet.
Laurel: (hits him on the arm) I think it is sweet. He was deserted for 5 years yet he remembers to get his sister something in case he gets back.
Oliver: It's a Hozen and in Buddhism, it symbolizes reconnecting. I kept it, in hopes that one day it would reconnect me with you.
Tommy: A rock. That is sweet. I want one of those T-shirts that says "My friend was a castaway and all I got was this crappy shirt." [Chuckles]
Tommy chuckles at how similar his present and futures self think. Malcolm looks at him in disappointment.
"Maybe he needs more responsibility" he thought.
Thea: Don't let him get you into too much trouble. You just got back. Take it slow. [Oliver kisses her on the cheek and they hug]
Tommy: Ahem. The city awaits. [In the hallway] Have you noticed how hot your sister's gotten? [Oliver gives him a stern look] Because I have not.
Thea blushes at the compliment. Moira and Malcolm give each other a look, and the rest laugh at Tommy for being so scared of Oliver.
[In Tommy's Mercedes SLR]
Tommy: Your funeral blew.
Oliver: You get lucky?
Tommy: Fish in a barrel. They were so sad.
Laurel, Felicity, and Thea: You guys are pigs.
Oliver: No.
Tommy: And huggy. And I'm counting on another target-rich environment for your welcome home bash.
Oliver: At my what?
Tommy: You came back from the dead. This calls for a party. You tell me where and when. I'll take care of everything. This city's gone to crap. Your dad sold his factory just in time. Why'd you wanna drive through this neighborhood anyway?
Oliver: [Oliver looks at his father's old factory] No reason.
Everyone: (curious)
Tommy: So, what'd you miss the most? Steaks at The Palm? Drinks at The Station? Meaningless sex?
Oliver: Laurel.
Laurel and Lance looked at the screen shocked.
Tommy: Everyone is happy you're alive. You wanna see the one person who isn't?
[CNRI Office]
Johanna: Laurel, I just got this from Hunt's lawyers. They filed a change of venue. We're now in front of Judge Grell.
Laurel: Hunt funded Grell's re-election campaign.
Johanna: Mm-hm.
Laurel: Grell's in his back pocket.
Johanna: It's fun being your friend. I get to say "I told you so" a lot.
Laurel: No. Adam Hunt is not smarter than we are.
Johanna: No, he's richer and willing to commit felonies.
Laurel: We don't need to go outside the law-
Johanna: -to find justice. Your dad's favorite jingle.
Lance: Awww! Sometimes you do listen to me. And I stress sometimes.
Oliver: Hello, Laurel.
Tommy: I bet you my allowance that this isn't going to go well.
[Outside CNRI Office]
Oliver: You went to law school. You said you would.
Laurel: Yeah. Everyone's proud.
Oliver: Adam Hunt's a heavy hitter. You sure you wanna get in the ring with him?
Laurel: Five years and you wanna talk about Adam Hunt?
Oliver: No. Not really.
Laurel: Why are you here, Ollie?
Oliver: To apologize. It was my fault. I wanted to ask you not to blame her.
Laurel: For what? Falling under your spell? How could I possibly blame her for doing the same things that I did?
Oliver: I never meant to-
Laurel: She was my sister. I couldn't be angry because she was dead. I couldn't grieve because I was so angry. That's what happens when your sister dies while screwing your boyfriend. We buried an empty coffin. Because her body was at the bottom of the ocean where you left her. It should've been you.
Oliver: I know that it's too late to say this but I'm sorry.
Laurel: Yeah, I'm sorry too. I'd hoped that you'd rot in hell a whole lot longer than five years. How'd you think that was gonna go, Tommy?
Laurel winced.
Thea: Harsh.
Lance: Well he kind of deserved it.
Felicity: He already spent 5 years on that island, what more do you want from him?
Tommy: About like that.
[Alleyway.] – Oliver and Tommy walk back to the car, when they are suddenly ambushed by armed men who shot tranquilizers at them. Oliver sees one kill an innocent man.
Tommy: We took care of that. Good call. Now we can make up for lost time. If you're not sick of fish let's find some leggy models and eat sushi off them. What do you say? [A van approaches them from behind] What the hell?
Bystander: Hey! [One of the men shoot him]
The girls shriek.
[Flashback] – Robert gives Oliver some water to drink.
Robert: Here, son. Drink.
Gus: What the hell are you doing? (pointing to the bottle of water) That's all we've got.
Robert: If anybody's making it out of here, it's gonna be him. I'm so sorry, I thought I'd have more time. I'm not the man you think I am. I didn't build our city. I failed it. And I wasn't the only one.
[Present Day] – Desolate Warehouse
Kidnapper: Mr. Queen? (Hood is yanked off Oliver's head) Mr. Queen? Did your father survive that accident? I ask the questions. You give me the answers. (tasers him, Oliver groans) Did he make it to the island? Did he tell you anything? (tasers him Oliver groans)
Everyone winced.
Roy: Isn't that supposed to, I don't know, hurt more?
Malcolm: It depends. Considering those scars on his body, I'd say he is used to pain.
Oliver: Yes, he did.
Kidnapper: What did he tell you, Mr. Queen? (Oliver looks at Tommy unconscious and also zip-tied)
Laurel looked at Tommy worriedly and Tommy was disappointed that he couldn't help his best friend more.
Oliver: He told me I'm gonna kill you.
Kidnapper: [laughs] You're delusional. You're zip-cuffed to that chair.
Oliver: (shows his hands) Not anymore.
Tommy: How did…
(The first kidnapper attacks Oliver, Oliver meanwhile dodges his attack and knocks him out the his chair. He disarms the second kidnapper and uses him as a human shield. The third kidnapper makes a run for it but Oliver apprehends him and kills him)
Oliver: He killed that man.
Kidnapper 3: You don't have to do this.
Oliver: Yes, I do. Nobody can know my secret. [He breaks his neck–killing him]
Thea: I can't believe he would do that.
Laurel: Oh, Ollie. What happened to you on that island?
[Queen Mansion] - Living Room
DetectiveLance: So that's your story. A guy in a green hood flew in and single-handedly took out 3 armed kidnappers. I mean, who is he? Why would he do that?
Oliver: I don't know. Find him and you can ask.
Detective Lance: Yeah. What about you? (shows him the sketch) You see the hood guy?
Tommy: I saw... just movement. Everything blurry. I was kind of out of it.
Laurel: You defended him?
Tommy: I was probably really out of it and just saw movement.
Detective Lance: Yeah. It's funny, isn't it? One day back, and already somebody's gunning for you. Aren't you popular?
Moira: Were you able to identify the men?
Detective Hilton: Scrubbed identities, untraceable weapons. These were pros.
Detective Lance: Yeah. Well, they probably figured you'd pay a king's ransom to get your boy back or a Queen's ransom, as it were. After all, a parent would do anything to keep their child safe.
Moira: I don't find your tone appropriate, Detective.
Walter: If Oliver can think of anything else, he'll be in touch. Thank you, gentlemen, for coming. [Detective Lance chuckles]
Detective Lance: Your luck never seems to run out, does it? (The detectives leave)
Laurel: Dad…
Lance: What? He's a cold blooded killer! He murdered those kidnappers and he murdered Sara!
Laurel: He tried to save her!
Felicity: I don't mean to interrupt, but could we finish this discussion later. And by "we" I mean "you" and I'm going to stop babbling in 3… 2… 1.
Diggle: Do you always babble this much?
Felicity: Well I don't do it intentionally.
Roy: Are you done now?
[Oliver's Bedroom] - Raisa enters with lunch and she and Oliver talk.
Raisa: You are different. Not like you to read a book.
Oliver: I missed you, Raisa.
Raisa: No kitchen on the island.
Oliver: No. No friends either. (He stands and walks to her) Hey. (He takes the tray from her) Thank you. (He sets the tray down) Do I really seem different?
Raisa: No. You're still a good boy.
Tommy: Why would she say that? We all know he wasn't.
Thea: Raisa always liked Oliver best. She always said he had a good heart.
Oliver: Oh, I think we both know I wasn't.
Raisa: But a good heart.
Thea and Tommy blush as the rest of the room, except for Malcolm and Moira, laugh at the similarities of Thea and Tommy, and Oliver and Raisa's conversation.
Oliver: I hope so. I want to be the person you always told me I could be.
[Outside the Mansion] – Oliver is leaving the Mansion when Moira stops him and introduces him to his new bodyguard.
Moira: Oliver, I want to introduce you to someone... John Diggle. He'll be accompanying you from now on.
Diggle: So that's why I'm here. I thought the fast guy made a mistake.
Oliver: I don't need a babysitter.
Walter: Darling, Oliver's a grown man. And if he doesn't feel he needs armed protection—
Moira: Yeah, I understand, but this is something I need.
[In the car]
Oliver: So... What do I call you?
Diggle: Diggle's good. Dig if you want.
Oliver: You're ex-military?
Diggle: Yes, sir. 105th airborne of of Kandahar, retired. Been in the private sector a little more than 4 years now. I don't want there to be any confusion, Mr. Queen. My ability to keep you from harm will outweigh your comfort. Do we have an agreement? (No response) Sir? [The car door opens and closes][Cars honk][Diggle looks behind to find Oliver gone. He slams on the brake] Sir! [He gets out and looks behind. Oliver is gone]
Diggle facepalms at his embarrassment and the rest of the room laughs at his failed attempt.
[Oliver walks through the slums. He reaches his father's old factory; he throws his bags over and scales the fence. He enters the abandoned factory and brings to make lair. In a montage he trains intensively - sharpening his skills]
Oliver (V.O.): The abduction was unexpected. It forced me to move up my plans, but what I told the police was true. The man in the green hood was there in that warehouse, and he's just beginning.
Television Anchorman: The suit alleges that Hunt committed multiple acts of fraud and theft against the city's underprivileged. Laurel Lance, an attorney for the city necessary...
Oliver (V.O.): Adam Hunt...his crimes go deeper than fraud and theft, but he's been able to bully, bribe, or kill anyone who's gotten into his way. He hasn't met me yet.
[Parking Lot]
Adam Hunt: You remind Grell I put him on the bench, I can take him off. I will turn him into a cautionary tale. Man: Yes, Mr. Hunt. Hunt: And this attorney Laurel Lance...you said she wasn't gonna be a problem anymore. I told you to fix that situation. [They stop walking. Hunt walks towards him] Why are you still here? [The man leaves] [They resume walking to the car when the lights go out and Arrow appears taking out the guards and threatening Hunt's life]
Bodyguard 1: [Whoosh] Unh!
Bodyguard 2: [To Hunt] Get in the car! [He fires into the ceiling]
Arrow: Hey. You missed.
Malcolm is impressed, but doesn't speak his mind in order to keep his association with the League a secret.
Bodyguard 2: Unh! [Whoosh] Unh! [Whoosh]
Hunt: [Whoosh. Car door glass smashes] Unh! [He pulled out of the car] What? What? Just... just tell me what you want.
Arrow: You're gonna transfer $40 million into Starling City bank account 1141 by 10 P.M. tomorrow night. Hunt: Or what?
Arrow: Or I'm gonna take it, and you won't like how.
Hunt: If I see you again, you're dead!
[Hunt Multinational] - Hunt gives his statement to the police about his encounter with Arrow. He tells them to back at his office by 10PM to take "The Hooded-Guy" down.
Hunt: He was wearing a hood, a green hood, and he had a bow and arrow. [The detectives look at each other] What, you don't believe me? [He turns to pick up an object from his desk and shows them a green arrow] That maniac put two of my men in the hospital. [Detective Hilton takes the arrow]
DetectiveLance: Well, thanks for your statement. We'll put out an APB on... (he looks at the arrow then back at Hunt) Robin Hood?
Thea: (snorts) Imagine if Ollie heard them?
Roy: Tsk, tsk, snorting. How very unladylike.
Hunt: Hey, pal. [He walks towards him] I'm not some grocer who got taken for his register. I go to the front of the line. Now he said he would be back here by 10 P.M. Make sure you're here first. You can coordinate with Mr. Drakon, my new head of security.
Detective Lance: All right. Well, uh, thanks for your time. [They leave]
Detective Hilton: It looks like Queen was telling the truth.
Detective Lance: Yeah. Well, there's a first time for everything. This hooded guy comes looking for trouble, he'll find it.
[Outside the Queen Mansion] – Oliver is leaves to go to his party. He opens the car door to find Diggle waiting for him inside, ready to accompany him to the party.
Diggle: Put on your seat belt, sir. Wouldn't want you to miss your party. [Oliver gets in and smiles in disbelief]
Diggle: I learnt my lesson. He isn't getting out of my sight.
[Oliver's Welcome Home Party]]– Oliver arrives at the party. As he descends the stairs, he brings out his phone and checks his timer: 9.07PM (53 mins left for Adam Hunt to deliver). Tommy sees him and ushers him in.
Tommy: [He signals for the music to end] Everybody, hey! Man-of-the-hour! [crowd cheers] Whoo! And, ladies, please give this man a proper homecoming. [Music plays as Oliver approaches and climbs on center stage: We are the champions? We are the champions? Of the world?]
Oliver: Thank you very much, everybody!
Tommy: Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie. [gives him a shot]
Oliver: [to the crowd] I missed Tequila! [The crowd cheers]
Felicity: Is it just me or is it scary how he can change from being a vigilante to a playboy?
[Hunt Multinational] - 9.25PM. Hunts' guards get ready and load their clips into their automatic weapons. Techno music is heard from outside.
Hunt: What the hell's going on out there?
Drakon: It's across the street. Party for the guy that got rescued off that island...Oliver Queen.
[Oliver's Welcome Home Party] - Oliver and Tommy check out girls. Diggle stands the background. Oliver sees Thea get drugs from a strange guy.
Thea shrinks in her seat as her mother gives her a pointed glare.
Tommy: Hey. Does he wipe for you, too? Now by my rough estimate, you have not had sex in 1,839 days. As your wingman, I highly recommend Carmen Golden.
Laurel: You're a pig!
Oliver: Which one is she?
Tommy: The one who looks like the chick from "Twilight."
Oliver: What's "Twilight"?
Tommy: You're so better off not knowing. (Oliver sees Thea)
Oliver: Back in a minute. (Diggle follows him. Oliver grabs Thea aside)
Thea: Ollie, hey! This party is sick.
Oliver: Who let you in here?
Thea: I believe it was somebody who said, "Right this way, Miss Queen."
Oliver: Well, you shouldn't be here.
Thea: Uh, I'm not 12 anymore.
Oliver: No. You're 17.
Thea: Ollie, I-I love you, but you can't come back here and judge me, especially for being just like you.
Oliver: I know that it couldn't have been easy for you when I was-away.
Thea: Away? (she chuckles) No. You died. My brother and my father died. I went to your funerals.
Oliver: I know.
Thea: No, you don't. Mom had Walter, and I had no one. You guys all act like it's cool, let's forget about the last 5 years. Well, I can't. For me, it's kind of permanently in there, so I'm sorry if I turned out some major disappointment, but this—me, is the best I could do with what I had to work with. Let's bounce.
Diggle: You made him feel worse, you know.
Thea: I know.
Girl: You have the fun dip?
Thea: Yeah. It's right - No. I... I must have dropped it. [Oliver throws the drug in the trash. He proceeds to leave when he bumps into Laurel]
Thea: That sneaky little –
Tommy: You should be thanking him. He's only trying to help you.
Oliver: Oh! Oh. You're here.
Laurel: Tommy. He made the point that we have too many years between us to leave things the way we left them. Is there someplace quieter that we could go?
Oliver: Yeah.
Tommy watches as this version of Laurel is still hung up on Oliver. He hoped she would be over him considering what happened, but maybe they weren't meant to be.
[Observatory Floor]
Laurel: I'm sorry about saying that you should have been the one who died. That was wrong.
Oliver: If I could trade places with her, I would.
Laurel: About Sarah... there's something that I've been afraid to ask, but I need to know.
Oliver: Ok.
Laurel: When she died...did she suffer?
[Flashback]
Oliver: No. Sarah! [she screams and is ripped away by the ocean]
[Present Day]
Oliver: No.
Laurel: For once, I'm happy he lied to me. I don't know if I could bear knowing she suffered.
Laurel: I think about her every day.
Oliver: Me, too.
Laurel: I guess we still have one thing in common then. I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but...If you need someone to talk to about what happened to you, I'm here. [Oliver's cell phone vibrates. He checks his phone. 10.00PM - Account balance $0] Something wrong?
Oliver: I asked somebody to do something. They didn't do it. Laurel...you always saw the best in me. Right now, that's what you're doing, looking at me, and you're wondering if that island changed me somehow, if it made me a better person. It didn't. Stay away from me. Otherwise...I'm just gonna hurt you again, but this time, it'll be worse. Gotta roll. [He walks back from her] I got 5 years of debauchery to catch up on.
Laurel: [Hurt. She walks towards him angered] You know what, Oliver? You're wrong. That island did change you. At least now you're honest. [she leaves]
Lance: Although I still don't like him, he is trying to protect you and I'm grateful for that.
[Service Hallway]
Diggle: Something I can help you with, sir?
Oliver: [turns around] I just wanted a second to myself.
Diggle: I would believe you, Mr. Queen, if you weren't so full of crap. Party's this way. [Motions to the door] Oliver: It's locked. [Diggle goes to check and Oliver puts him in a sleeper hold and immobilizes him]
Diggle: Really?! Again? (facepalms)
Felicity laughs, but hides it with her hand.
[Hunt Multinational]
Drakon: You two cover the elevator. Hang back and be ready. Stay in the corners and stay alert. [Lock latches] It's past 10:00. He's never getting in here.
Detective Hilton: All's clear.
Detective Lance: Yeah.
Hunt: You missed.
Arrow: Really?
Hunt: He's here!
Detective Lance: All units, converge! All units, converge!
Lance: I hope we get him.
Malcolm: According to what we saw, I think it's going to take more than a couple of cops to deal with him.
Arrow: Aigh!
Detective Lance: Go right, go right. On me.
Officer: Lay down your weapons, or we will open fire! I repeat, lay down your weapons.
Detective Hilton: Tell me you saw that.
Detective Lance: Ok. Let's go. Move. Cut it. Search the building roof to basement. Find him! Starling City police! The party's over, kids. [Booing] Oh, Mr. Merlyn. Imagine my shock at finding you here. Did you roofie anyone special tonight, huh?
Oliver: Detective! It's a private party.
Detective Lance: Yeah? Well, there was an incident at Adam Hunt's building tonight. You know anything about that?
Oliver: Who's Adam Hunt?
Roy: He is a really good liar. Has he always been this good?
Everyone who knows him personally shakes their heads.
Moira: I've always been able to tell when he lies, but I'm not so sure anymore.
Detective Lance: He's a millionaire bottom feeder, and I'm kind of surprised you aren't friends.
Oliver: I've been out of town for...a while.
Roy: Understatement of the year.
Detective Lance: Yeah. Well, he just got attacked by the guy with the hood, the guy that saved your ass the other day.
Oliver: The hood guy. You didn't find him? I'm gonna offer a reward. Hey, everybody. $2 million to anybody that can find a nut bar in a green hood. [The crowd cheers]
Thea: That is seriously freaky. You're right Felicity, how can he change from vigilante to playboy so quickly?
Detective Lance: Did you even try to save her?
Laurel: Dad… Don't cause a scene. He did everything he could.
Detective Hilton: Ok. Let's go, partner.
Detective Lance: Did you even try to save my daughter?
Detective Hilton: Sara wouldn't want this.
Detective Lance: It's not–
Detective Hilton: Partner, let's go. (low voice) It's all right. Let's go.
Oliver: It's way too quiet in here! This is a party!
Tommy: Some coincidence, I mean, you asking to have your party here, and Hunt getting robbed right next door and by the same guy who rescued us at the warehouse.
Oliver: If I were you, Tommy, I'd just be glad you're alive.
Tommy: Did he just threaten me? Or was that just to push me away?
Diggle: I'm sure it's the "pushing you away" one.
Tommy: What-h-happened to you on that island?
Oliver: A lot.
Roy: Second biggest understatement of the year.
Thea: Are you going to keep doing that or…?
Hunt: What the hell are you talking about? $40 million doesn't just up and vanish! Untraceable?! It is $40 million! Find it! How did he do it?
[Flashback]
Robert: There's not enough for all of us. Save your strength. You can survive this, make it home, make it better, right my wrongs, but you got to live through this first. You hear me, Ollie? You hear me, son?
Oliver: Just rest, dad.
Gus: No! [Robert shoots him]
Oliver: Dad?!
Robert: Survive. [He shoots himself]
Oliver: No!
Everyone winced.
Moira: Robert…
Malcolm bows his head in a respectful way to honor his friend.
[Present Day] – CNRI Office
Laurel: If hypothetically $50,000 magically appeared in your bank account, it might be best for you not to speak about it...to anyone... Ever. God bless you, too. I just got a very grateful phone call from one of our clients against Adam Hunt.
Johanna: Me, too. Heh. It looks like Starling City has a guardian angel. By the way, your cute friend's here. Tommy: You left the party pretty quick last night, even after I made sure the bar was stocked with Pinot Noir. Laurel: It wasn't really my scene.
Tommy: I thought maybe you and Oliver went mano-a-mano again. I saw you two head out.
Laurel: There's nothing between Oliver and I, not anymore.
Tommy: Here I thought the only thing between you and Oliver was us.
Laurel: I wouldn't exactly characterize us as an "us," Tommy.
Tommy: Then what would you call it?
Laurel: A lapse.
Tommy: That's quite a few lapses... your place, my place, my place again.
Malcolm shakes his head at the immaturity the Merlyn heir was showing.
Laurel: Oh, come on, Merlyn. We both know that you're not a one-girl type of guy.
Tommy: Depends on the girl.
Laurel: I have to go back to work.
Tommy: Dinah Laurel Lance always trying to save the world.
Laurel: Hey. If I don't try and save it, who will?
Oliver (V.O.): She says the island changed me. She has no idea how much. There are many more names on the list, those who rule my city through intimidation and fear. Every last one of them will wish I had died on that island.
Moira: The police failed to identify the men I hired to kidnap Oliver, and they never will.
Man: Should we arrange another abduction?
Moira: No. There are other ways of finding out what my son knows.
Thea: Mom who was that you were talking to?
Moira pretends she doesn't know. She looks back at Malcolm who is also a little uncomfortable.
Tommy: Can we watch the next one?